A major attempt to tackle serious themes... extraordinarily rich in incident and detail.
Sebastian Faulks
Anita Desai's most subtle and mature work to date... She retains an unforced and powerful ease in conveying the colour and sounds and sensations of Indian life.
Times Literary Supplement
A wry, gently humorous novel, full of wisdom and restraint... The author chronicles India lovingly but it would be a mistake to think of her simply as an Indian writer, for her themes are universal
Financial Times